philately

Philately is the study and collection of postage stamps and other related postal materials. It encompasses not only stamp collecting but also the analysis of stamps, postal histories, circulation, production methods, and rates. Practitioners may focus on stamps from a single country, a historical period, or pursue topical, or thematic, collecting that groups stamps by subjects such as fauna, famous people, or events.

The hobby originated in the mid-19th century after the introduction of adhesive postage stamps, with philatelists organizing societies and publishing catalogs and journals. The Penny Black of 1840 is often cited as the starting point of modern philately, though collectors soon broadened to a worldwide network of stamps, postmarks, envelopes (covers), and related artifacts. Collecting areas include stamps (with attention to varieties and errors), postal history (covers showing routes, rates, and cancellations), and revenue stamps used for taxation. Specialized fields include aerophilately (airmail) and philatelic literature.

Practices include authentication and expertizing to detect forgeries or altered items, preserving material in albums or stockbooks, and studying printing methods, perforations, watermarks, and gum. Values are guided by condition, rarity, demand, and catalog listings. Philatelic societies, national associations, and international federations organize exhibitions, research programs, and auctions. Major events showcase rare material and facilitate scholarly exchange.

Philately intersects with history, geography, economics, and art, providing a record of communication networks and social change. It remains both a hobby and a field of historical inquiry, supported by a growing body of catalogs, journals, and online databases.